Aberdeen shop may face closure over funding cuts

ABERDEEN’S Fair Trade status may be under threat due to funding cuts, it was warned today.

The Third World Centre, also known as Fair Trade Aberdeen, on George Street has its premises subsidised by Aberdeen City Council up until March 2011.

The shop, which has been open since 1983, received two years of funding in 2009 after relocating from Aberdeen’s Kirk of St Nicholas.

However, as Aberdeen City Council is unable to continue to subsidise the shop, the centre faces potential closure.

Co-manager of the Fair Trade store Alice Merrilees said: “We are looking for alternative premises which are cheaper or if someone could house us for free even better.”

Aberdeen City Council has helped subsidise 50% of the rent for the two year period.

The shop has around 20 volunteers and has previously employed people with special needs.

Sue Good, Aberdeen Fair Trade coordinator, said: “If the Fair Trade shop closes a lot of the impetus for the Fair Trade City campaign will go.”

Councillor John Stewart said: “We have offered them month-by-month rent of the premises until the shop is leased out and help in finding new premises.”